question regarding backup lights

[creamofwheat]

Ok, question. I'm not exactly DIR...yet, but I think I am leaning that way. I find a lot of the reasoning behind it makes a lot of sense to me. Anyway, I have a question regarding backup lights. I've heard the correct placing of a light (DIR style, of course) is under the arm, attached to the harness shoulder strap. What is a nice little light that will fit comfortably there? And what is the best way to secure it so it is easily accessible if I need it (ie, how exactly do you attach it?)? Thanks!

 

[JeffG]

Ok, question. I'm not exactly DIR...yet, but I think I am leaning that way. I find a lot of the reasoning behind it makes a lot of sense to me. Anyway, I have a question regarding backup lights. I've heard the correct placing of a light (DIR style, of course) is under the arm, attached to the harness shoulder strap. What is a nice little light that will fit comfortably there? And what is the best way to secure it so it is easily accessible if I need it (ie, how exactly do you attach it?)? Thanks!

I have scouts. They work, but if I was to do it again I would get mini-scouts. (A bit smaller and easier to manage.)

http://www.halcyon.net/lights/scout.shtml

They are secured by having a bolt snap on the rear of the light that clips to the shoulder d-ring.

 

[*Floater*]

Some bike tire inner tube also helps. Quote from gue.com and pic from wkpp.org:

Two back-up lights are attached to each of the two chest D-rings, one light per side. Each is held to the strap by an elastic band. This puts them beneath a diver's shoulders, where they are completely accessible but out of the way. Divers can always reach these lights and turn them on without unclipping them from their D-rings. Turning on a back-up light before unclipping it is very important; divers could easily drop their back-up light while trying to get it unclipped before turning it on.

 

[OE2X]

I like my scouts. One is LED and one is regular.

Friends have different brands. The only thing I would advise against is getting pressure sensitive switchs on other brands. It made for a bit of a PITA when a recent buddy had one turn on and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off.

Guess I would go with lights that turned on by screwing down the head - like the scouts. That way everyone is on the same program.

 

[Quarrior]

If you are planning on going DIR that's great, go for it. However, keep in mind the configuration you are asking about is Hogarthian which has been around before DIR.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

...What is a nice little light that will fit comfortably there? And what is the best way to secure it so it is easily accessible if I need it (ie, how exactly do you attach it?)?

JeffG had a pretty good suggestion - get mini-Scouts or the Dive Rite version of the same light - it's basically a 2 C-cell light instead of 3.

You'll find that LED lightheads may work better for you, also. Check out photon torpedos if you insist on the longer lights.

To attach whatever you purchase, take about 8-9" of cave line and tie one of the smallest size stainless steel boltsnaps to the attachment point - these obviously clip to your chest D-rings, as in the photo of George.

Hope this helps...

Doc

 

[Manta]

Ok, question. I'm not exactly DIR...yet, but I think I am leaning that way. I find a lot of the reasoning behind it makes a lot of sense to me. Anyway, I have a question regarding backup lights. I've heard the correct placing of a light (DIR style, of course) is under the arm, attached to the harness shoulder strap. What is a nice little light that will fit comfortably there? And what is the best way to secure it so it is easily accessible if I need it (ie, how exactly do you attach it?)? Thanks!

If size is a concern, take a look at the our Diamond 3 wat LED backup, www.mantaindustries.com. I mount it in the same spot as you mentioned. It's only 6" long and has a burn time of 6 hours. It runs off 2- 3volt lithium batteries. It is extremely as bright, it's as some primary lights. It has 3 O-rings and is twist activated, you will not have to worry about pressure contact switching it on. It's also rated to 900 feet.

Thanks - Greg

 

[JeffG]

If size is a concern, take a look at the our Diamond 3 wat LED backup, www.mantaindustries.com. I mount it in the same spot as you mentioned. It's only 6" long and has a burn time of 6 hours. It runs off 2- 3volt lithium batteries. It is extremely as bright, it's as some primary lights. It has 3 O-rings and is twist activated, you will not have to worry about pressure contact switching it on. It's also rated to 900 feet.

Thanks - Greg

How good is the beam focus? (If you have seen the MAL LED light, compare it to that. Thats what I have in my scouts.)

 

[lamont]

cheaper than scout, comes with batteries, and isn't as sensitive to accidental pressure-activation as the scouts, but otherwise a knock-off:

http://www.cnsales.net/photontorpedopage.htm

 

[Manta]

How good is the beam focus? (If you have seen the MAL LED light, compare it to that. Thats what I have in my scouts.)

Hey JeffG,

I haven’t seen the MAL LED, so I can't compare it. The beam on the Diamond is not too tight, but not dispersed, I know that sounds vague. It will really light up an area well. There isn't any hot spot, just a nice smooth transition of light.

If you want I can e-mail a comparison for the Diamond vs. Scout for size purposes.

Thanks - Greg